Electric control system



Nov. -1 3 1923.

c. w. WYMAN ELECTRIC CONTROL SYSTEM Fil ed May 28 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 C. W. WYMAN ELECTRIC CONTROL SYSTEM Nov. 13

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 28, 1919 Patented Nov. 13, 1923.

UNITED STATES. PATE NT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. WYMAN, F CLAREMONT, NEVI HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF IVIASSACHU SETTS.

ELECTRIC ooNrRoL svsrn vr.

Application filed May 28,

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, CHARLES W'. WVYMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Claremont, in the county of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Control Systems, of which the following a full, clear, andexact specification.

My invention relates to electric control systems.

It has for its object to provide an improved electric control system. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved controller mechanism having provision for insuring proper operation thereof and minimizing arcing and burning of the controller contacts. More specifically, my invention has for its object to provide an improved electric control system especially adapted to motor control whereby an oper ator is required to operate the controller in an improved sequence in such a manner as to avoid the injurious effects mentioned, and one wherein the circuit is controlled by improved means and made or broken in an' improved manner. These and other objects and advantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more -fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration three embodiments which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. l is a plan view of the controller per se. 1 a

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram showing the controller handle in a plurality of positions.

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram showing a modified form or" my invention.

Fig; 5 is a wiring diagram showing a further modified form of the same.

In this illustrative construction I have shown a controller including a usual base or panel 1 having pivotally mounted thereonpas at 2, a controller handle or arm 3 adapted to be moved between an ofFstop 4t and an on stop 5 to establish electrical connection between the pivot 2 and a plurality of contacts or buttons 6. arranged in the usual are, of which the first three are 1919. Serial No. 300,455.

as usual'dead and formed of insulating material, while the remainder are live and formed of conducting material.

In my improved constructionit will be observed that I have provided improved in terlocking or controlling mechanism operatively connected to and controlled by and controlling the handle 3; These means may, obviously, assume various forms. In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 1, the same include an arcuate member or sector 7 carried on the panel 1 and struck from the pivot 2, and improved cooperating'interlocklng mechanism between the member 7 and the controller handle 3. This member 7 is preferablv formed of a strip of conducting material set on edge on the panel 1 and between the pivot 2 and contacts 6, as shown. Herein, the same is also flanged longitudinally on its lower edge, as at 8, and slid able in both directions. within correspondingly slotted uprights 9'formed on an arouate bottom casting 10 carried on the panel, movement of the member 7 in one direction being limited by a pin 11. It will also be observed that the controller handle 3 carries on the under side of the same a plurality of sector gripping contact members, herein for illustrative purposes shown innthe form of members 12 pivoted at 13 thereon and extending laterally slightly beyond the controller handle when the latter is in off position and toward the member 7. As shown, these members 12 are preferably movable about their pivots on the handle 3 within limits established by a suitable stop 14 on the latter, and are provided with inwardly extending gripping contact faces 15 in the form of jaws preferably adapted When inoperative tobe held in contact with said stop member 14, or whenoperative' to beheld in orinping contact with the opposite sides of the member 7 by resilient means, herein in the form of a coiled spring 16, operatively disposed in recesses 17 in the two members 12, though obviously the desired resiliency may be otherwise incorporated in these contactmembers. It will also be observed that I have provided a recessed or slotted portion 18 substantially midway between the ends herein in the form of a rectangular cut-out portion in its lower edge, which .is adapted to receive and have its end walls engage with of the member 7,

an arm 19 formed on a l I circuit controlling member 20 pivotal at at on rearward extension 22 on the member 10, and having a lower contact arm :23 at ptcd to make and break a circuit at a contact button 2% disposed between the pivot i2 and the arenatc member 7. Thus, it will be observed that when the member is moved toward on position its gripping contacts to will grip and move the member 7 t erewith, and that when the arm 3 is round backward, that is, toward oil position, the number 7 will likewise be moved therewith so thal the arm 23 will be moved oil of its contact button 23; through the engagement oi: one end wall of the cut-out portion 18 with its men'iber l9.

Attention is also directed. to the fact that improves cooperating operative coimections are herein provided between the member 20 and the controller handle or arm 3 to control the movement of the contact arm These connections may, obviously, likewise assume various forms. Herein, it will be ooserved that a slot 25 is provided in a downwardly projecting hub of the arm and near the pivot thereof, the end wall ot which is adapted to engage the tree end of a strip 26, preterably formed of insulating material, which itself operatively connected to the meniber 20, as by pivoting the same around a leterally off-set upright pin 27 on and near the pivot thereof. It will also be observed that I have provided a guiding means for said strip 26, herein in the form ot a U-SlifiPOtl spring 28 having one end fixed to the inenr her 26 and its other. end slidable in the slot ted upper end of a pin 29, herein formed. on a rearward extension 30 on the casting 10, the construction being such. that the spring thereby assists in locating the strip 26 relative to the slot 25 during inovee'ient of the parts. As a result of this in'iproved construction, it will be noted that durin the stages of he n'iovement of the arm 3 toward off position, the contact arl'n is thrown into engagement with the button and that thereafter during current flow henever the arm is moved toward oft position, the contact arm 23 is disengaged from its button.

Operatively connected to the contact 24L and controlled by the moving contact arm 23 and the movement of the controller arm Eh is in'iorovcd cooperating circuit controlling means. These means, as shown herein, as sume the form of a 1 electro-respensive switch, herein in the form of a solenoid 31 carrying a movable contact bridging member 32 adapted to bridge contacts disposed in one ot the branches P the line 34;,

or 34L, the solenoid herein being connected to "the line conductor-'34 at a point outside the con tacts 83 by a conductor which is in turn connected to the contact 2 is shown, the

e switch, and n moto which may be oi any suitable type, herein ot the compound wound type including an arn'iature 36, a shunt held 37, and a series field 38, is herein connected inside the contacts and to the various resistance sections 35) connected to the resistance buttons 6, by iii-cans of: a conductor 10. lhus, it will be observed that er the contact arm 23 is moved, into cng nnent with the contact 24-, i. e., as the ctmtrollcr arm 3 moves into ne position, and when the arm 3 is again moved 'l'ormrd in such a manner as to bring its coi'itacts l2 into engagement with the sector '2', a circuit is established from the line 3st througl'i the coil oil? the electro-respcn e switch ill, the conductor $55, the contact Eat, the contact arm 23, the sector 7, the contacts 1'12, the arm 3, and the arm pivot 52, to the other line UOilllllU'tOi' 341 in such a manner as to cause the cont-Act bridging member 32 of the clectro-rcsponsive switch to ln'lt c the contacts 33 and therebv close the hie circuit, \rhercupon, when rue arm is moved still if rther forward, currenttlows through the armature and fields of l motor in the usual manner, and

U10 through so much oi" the resistance 39 as then remains in circuit. Conversely, it will be observed that when the arm 3 is first moved backward or toward oil oosition trom any position, curr 1 do through the motor will be imi'nediate interrupted due to the break in th of the ()lGClKl'OflfQHDl HSlYe be reestablished in l. the

are: ha. moved oft ot the contacts (3 and practically reached its off position, when the contact arm 23 will be again actuated to close the contacts 253,

in the operation of my imprr ling; L in and iuecluiuiso. serreu that the electionormally open, and this id control it willv be obswii l is thr. he roe ct a 1 323 in. :Wbltldll ol inc controller uric tact a l, the conta rt, 5; gagement with the sponsive swit' nu iner as to 1 cl ti '1 0 con tac f not ilow through trollcr arm :3 c ton 6. when the n' lilo tion of the contacts 12 upon thesector 7, the latter will be moved toward offllposition with the controller arm 3, and'through the engagement of one of. the end walls of its cut-out portion 18thereby cause the contact arm 23 to be moved 'ofi of its contact 24 in such a manner as to break the circuit 7 manner as to cause the same, acting through its connection to the pin 27, to swing the contact arm 23 again into contact with its button In other words, it will be observed that the initial position of the parts is then resumed so that the operator may again move the controller arm toward on position. I

Referring to Fig. 4 of the drawings, it will be noted that herein I have illustrated a modified form of my improved construc tion wherein, instead of having the current flow through the sector as described above when the circuit through the electro-re sponsive switch 31 is closed, the circuit extends from the contact arm 23 through its pivot 21 and a conductor 41 directly to the pivot 2, which is connected to the other side of the line. As a result of this connection, it will be observed that the gripping members 12 and sectors 7 serve simply as a part of the operating mechanism, as distinguished from a part of the operating mechanism and also a part of the electrical circuit, a desirable feature under' ce'rtain conditions. It will also be observed that the connection necessary thus to simplify the circuit connections is itself exceedingly simple, it only being necessary to connect a wire between the two pivots 21 and 2. Here it will also be noted that I have illustrated a modified form of circuit connections, the shunt field winding 37 being connected in shunt with a permanent or grid resistance 42 to the conductor 35, an arrangement having decided value when operating on high voltages.

.In Fig. 5, it will be observed that I have illustrated a further modified form of wiring connection adapted to use in connection with either form of my improved controller described above when a reverse switch is used. Herein, it will be observed that ininstead of having the contacts 33 disposed outside the point of connection of the shunt field 37, these contacts are disposed between the point of connection of the shunt field to the line conductor 34, on the one hand, and

the series field on the other, while the electro-responsive switch included in the connection 35 is connected to the conductor 34 at the same: point as the shunt field. Through this arrangement it will be observed that the shunt field is not in circuit with the armature, which may be revolving but not generating current, and that a reverse switch 43 may accordingly be moved without the arcing or burning experienced if the shunt field is connected as in Fig. 4. It will, however, be evident that various other modifications of the wiring connections may be made in various adapta tions of my invention. It will also be evident that when and where desired the usual supplementary controlling devices, such as a. reversing switch 43 and a fuse 44, may

vbe included as needed in the wiring connections and used in connection with any of the forms of my invention shown herein.

As a result of my improved construction, it will be observedthat the entire electrical system including the controller system and the motor, isprotected from abuse by ignorant operators, my improved construction making it impossible for an operator to move the controller back and forth over the resistance contacts without allowing a proper interval between these reverse opera" tions thereof. More particularly, it will be observed that through my improved construction an interval is necessarily provided between a reverse movement of the controller handle and a forward movement thereof, since the operator must return the controller handle to off position before he can again establish electrical connection and obtain any results through moving the controller arm further toward on position. Attention is also directed to the fact that through my improved construction including the electroresponsive switch, it is possible to make or break the circuit connection at a point other than at the controller contacts, thereby minimizing the arcing and burning of the latter. It will also be observed thatthrough this same feature of my invention it is possible to connect the electro-responsive switch at any desired point in the system, it being entirely immaterial, so far as the broad aspects of the invention are concerned,

whether the same is located directly adjacent tion is not limited thereto but may be modilied and. embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit.

-Vi hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

i. In an electric controller, a controller arn'i, engaging means carried thereby and supplemental circuit closii .5 means succes si'vely actuated in opposite directions by said 4 means as said arm moves in one direction.

2. in an electric contr ller, a controller arm, circuit closing means successively opened and closed thereby as said arm moves in one ion and means For retaining said. closui position when moved in the opposite direction.

2-). In an electric controller, a controller arm, and circuit coi -rolling means opened upon oil movement 0. said arm and close i as said arm a preaches off position, and inoperative when moved in the opposite direction.

l. In an electric controller, a controller arm. having off and on positions en ga "ing means carried thereby, and supplei'uental circuit closing men s s CQQES YQlY actunted in opposite directions by said enmeans as s d $.llI1E110-.'F%iii 0 tion. said circuit closing means being substantially instantly actuated on reverse movement or said arm from any on position thereof.

In electric controller, a controller arm, circuit closing means successively opered and closed lhereoy as said arm moves in one direction. and means for retaining said ('l( position when moved in the opposite ction, said means including (i210 reciprocable means.

6. In an electric controller, a controller arm, circuit controlling means, and means whereby said latter means is opened on oi inci ement said arm and closed as said arm a mi'oaches off posit on, and inoperative when moved in the opposite direction, said last mentioned u'ieans including a plurality of cooperat ng uniformly engaged operating men sers during closing of said circuit c. osing means.

'7. ln electric controller, resistance rrmtrollirg means including a movable controller 1r. (51, a sec; r, means for 'uiovi the latter in only one eliective direction with said member. and a supplemental switch (concreting with said sector and having a lost motion COIlllCCtlOl'l therewith. 8. In an electric controller, resistance controlling means including a controller arm. a su iiplementarv switch. a switch actuating member, and gripping means carried by said controller arm and engageable with said switch actuating member.

9. In an electric controller,resistance controlling means including a controller arm,

a supplei'nentary switch, a switch actuating member, and contact means carried by said arm 'engageable with said actuating member to actuate the latter.

10. In an electric controller, resistance controlling means including a controller arm, a supplemental switch, a switch actuating member engageable therewith, means for establishing electrical connection through the supplemental switch and said actuatingmember, and means for actuating said member.

ii. In an electric controller, resistance controlling means including a controller arm, a plurality of contacts engageable thereby, a supplemental switch including said controller arm and electrically connected thereto, and means for successively actuating said switch as said arm is moved in one direction relative to said contacts.

12.1.11 an electric controller, resistance controlling means including a controller arm. a plurality of contacts engageable thereby, a supplemental switch including said controller arm and electrically connected thereto and means for opening and closing said switch as said arm is moved tor-ward oil position when beyond the first contact.

13. In an electric controller, resistance controlling means including a controller arm, and means including said controller arm for breaking an electric circuit connected therethrough upon reverse movement of said arm and reconnecting the circuit connections when said arm is moved to off position. v

14. In an electric controlling device, controlling means comprising a controller arm, and a plurality of switches controlled by said controller arm, both of said switches being. opened and one ot'said switches being reclosed by said member during the move ment thereof in one direction.

15. In an electric controlling device, a controlling means comprising a controller armand a plurality of switches in series controlled by said controller arm, said switches all being simultaneously in closed position during on movement of said controller arm and then successively opened by said controller member on off movement thereof.

16. In an electric controlling device, controlling means comprising a controller member, a plurality of switches in series during entire movement of said controlling means in one direction controlled by said controller member, and means whereby the opening of one of'saidswitches necessitates the openingoi the other prior to the closure of said first named switch.

17. In an electric controlling device, controlling means comprising a controller memher, a plurality of switches in series during entire movement of said controller from off to on and controlled by said controller member, one of said switches being mechanically actuated by said controller member, and means whereby the opening of said last mentioned switch necessitates the movement of said member to off position close the same by a continuation of a movement to open the other.

19. In an electric circuit controlling mechanism including a controller, and a pair of switches, one of said switches comprising a member operative when moving in one direction to positively open and close the other thereof.

20. In an electric controlling mechanism, comprising a plurality of switches each having a plurality of relatively movable elements, both elements of one of said switches being movable and so arranged that the movement of each of said elements in one direction will cause a reversal of the position of one of the elements of the other switch.

21. In an electric circuit controlling mechanism, comprising a controller member,

and a plurality of switches in series during entire movement from off to on and controlled by said controller member, different switches in said plurality being closed upon movement of said controller member in different directions.

22. In an electric circuit controlling mechanism, a controller member, and a plurality of switches in series during entire movement of said controller from off to on and controlled by said controller memher, one of which switches is closed at the beginning of the movement of said controller member in one direction and the other of which is closed at the end of the opposite movement thereof.

23. In an electric circuit controlling mechanism, a controller member, and a plurality of switches in series during entire movement of said controller from ofl to on and controlled by said controller member, one of which switches is closed at the beginning of the movement of said controller member to full running position and the other of which is closed by said con troller member at the end of the oil movebent of said controller member and after said first mentioned switch has been opened.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CHARLES W. WYMAN. 

